Cole signs four-year Chelsea contract

England midfielder Joe Cole has agreed a new four-year contract with Premiership champions Chelsea.

The 24-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2003 from West Ham and has established himself in Jose Mourinho's starting XI over the last year.

A statement from the champions confirmed: 'The deal was finalised while Cole was with the England team at the World Cup.'

Mourinho's appointment in 2004 initially put Cole's place under threat, with the boss insisting the player had to concentrate harder on defending.

However, Cole's attacking instincts have kept him in the Chelsea team as they have claimed back-to-back Premiership titles under Mourinho.

Cole had been adopted in a central role when he was signed for £6.6million from the Hammers but has since been deployed on the left flank.

Such was his success on the left, Cole has made the left-midfield berth his own for England under boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, with the position previously problematic.

Chelsea have already signed midfielders Jon Obi Mikel, Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou this summer, so Cole will have competition for a place in the champions' midfield.

Andriy Shevchenko has also been signed from AC Milan as Chelsea look to defend their title and make an impression on the Champions League.

Even though he has been on the bench at times during his stay at Stamford Bridge, Cole has often revealed his intentions to stay at the club.

He wanted the deal sorted out so he could concentrate on the World Cup with England in Germany.

'There is no way I wanted to leave Chelsea,' he said. 'I've talked to (Blues chief executive) Peter Kenyon and I believe we wants the same things for Chelsea.

'It has not been about money. That part of the contract was done a while back. There were a few things to be sorted out and I am glad it's been sorted out before the World Cup.

'I was hoping it would be sorted before the World Cup so there are no distractions for one of the most important times of my career so far.'